9-1-1 season 8 wrapped with a momentous finale episode fittingly titled, "Seismic Shifts," indicating the many big changes incorporated into the past 18 episodes, most notably with the death of fan-favorite character Bobby Nash, played by Peter Krause.
Moving forward into the show's ninth season, fans are still reeling over Bobby's sudden death at the hands of a virus. The characters within the show will also struggle to move on from the loss, particularly Evan "Buck" Buckley (Oliver Stark), who viewed Bobby as a father figure.
Discussing what might be ahead for his character's arc, Stark told TVInsider that he suspects Bobby's death will be a "catalyst" for his season 9 storyline. It will likely bring us a more mature Buck. Yes, Buck has already had significant character development, but Stark believes "this is an opportunity to take him to his next iteration."
We'll likely see a more "grounded, worldly Buck," emerge from all of this. Though the actor isn't sure what that will look like in terms of story, he does think that's the next step for his character on the show.
Aisha Hinds, who plays Henrietta "Hen" Wilson, was also part of the interview, which you can watch embedded below, and said she's also excited to see what happens next for her character.
Stark's comments seem to indicate that Bobby is, indeed, dead. I know fans have been keeping hope alive and even star Angela Bassett, who plays Bobby's newly-widowed wife Athena Grant in the show, recently referenced the fact Bobby's casket was closed—hinting he might not have been in it. But if Buck's actor is already looking ahead to how the death will shape his future character arc, it feels final. It might be time to accept that Bobby really is gone and prepare for a world of 9-1-1 without him.
As for what we can expect from the upcoming ninth season, which is already confirmed to return this fall alongside new spinoff series 9-1-1: Nashville, it's hard to say just yet. Like Stark, we're all in the dark on where the show will head next.
The season 8 finale ended with a high-rise building collapse and some big changes among the team, including Maddie giving birth to her and Chimney's son, who they name after Bobby. Chimney and Athena also reconcile.
There's even a brief moment in the finale where Hen refers to Chim as "Cap," suggesting that he might take over as the new station captain. Other big changes include Eddie and Christopher finally returning to Los Angeles proper and Hen and Karen adopting Mara.
Needless to say, the writers have done a great job of setting up potential new and exciting storylines for the coming season.